Lee Ocran Biography, Wikipedia, Career, Family, Achievement, Death

Born on the 6th of September, 1944, in Saltpond, Ghana, Lee Tonadoh Ocran, simply known as Lee Ocran, was a Ghanian educator and politician who served in various capacities in the Ghanian education system and government, most notably as the minister for education from 2012 to 2013.

Early Life and Education

Lee Ocran was born on the 6th of September, 1944, in Saltpond, Ghana.

He acquired his secondary education at Adisadel College, Cape Coast, after which he moved on to the University of Ghana, where he acquired a Bachelor of Arts degree in History in 1967. After obtaining his undergraduate degree from the University of Ghana, Lee Ocran proceeded to obtain his postgraduate degree in Education from the same university the following year.

Lee Ocran furthered his education even more at the University of Alberta, Canada, where he acquired a Masters of Arts degree in History.

Career

Educator

After completing his Masters of Arts degree from the University of Alberta, Canada, Lee Ocran started his career as an educator. From 1968 to 1971, he taught at St. Augustine's College, Cape Coast, before moving to the University of Cape Coast, where he worked as a lecturer from 1973 to 1975.

In 1975, Lee Ocran was appointed Director of the Institute of Adult Education at the University of Ghana, where he held the position until 1978.

Political Career

Lee Ocran began his political career in 1979, serving in the Jomoro Constituency in the Western Region of Ghana as a member of parliament until 2005, when he was appointed Minister of Tourism and Modernization of the Capital City by then-President John Agyekum Kufuor.

Lee Ocran served as the Minister of Tourism and Modernization from 2005 to 2009 before he was appointed as the Minister of Education in Ghana by the same president. He was later replaced in 2013 by Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang.

Aside from the positions Lee Ocran occupied in the Ghanaian education system and government, he also served on various committees and boards. He was a member of the Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa, the University of Ghana Council, and the National Council for Tertiary Education. He was also the Chairman of both the Ghana Tourism Authority and the Ghana Museums and Monuments.

Achievements

During his time as the Minister of Tourism and Modernization of the Capital City, Lee Ocran helped create employment opportunities and increase the city's revenue. He also  promoted local tourism and encouraged Ghanaians to patronize their own products by initiating the "See Ghana, Eat Ghana, Wear Ghana, and Feel Ghana" campaign.

During his tenure as Minister of Education, Lee Ocran helped provide free access to education for children in Ghana by initiating the Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education policy. He also oversaw the implementation of the Capitation Grant, which provided financial support to public basic schools to improve infrastructure and increase enrollment.

Lee Ocran Family

Lee Ocran was married to Felicia Ocran. They had four children together.

Lee Ocran Death

Lee Ocran died on the 21st of February, 2019, after battling illness. He was 71 years old.